Andi Yu
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Reporter and producer for @abcnews in Melbourne. Send news tips to Yu.Andi@abc.net.au
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Articles by Andi Yu
Helen Haines 'attack' live: MP critically injured as police investigation continues
Independent MP Helen Haines was airlifted to hospital in Melbourne late last night with critical injuries. Helen Haines was airlifted to The Alfred last night. (ABC News) The 65-year-old MP was struck by a landcruiser vehicle outside her Wangaratta electorate office just after 3:30pm yesterday. A 43-year-old Tarrawingee man was arrested at the scene and spent the night in custody. He was expected to be interviewed by police but we haven't received an update yet this morning.
Four Australians found safe in Nepal, but 38 others still missing
Andi Yu and Patrick Martin Four more Australians have been confirmed safe in the Nepal-Tibet flood disaster, but 38 others remain unaccounted-for as loved ones urge authorities to do more to find those missing. Five Australian citizens have been located safe since Tuesday morning. One person was found in Nepal and another in China, while three others were found outside the disaster zone.
Four Australians found safe in Nepal, but 38 others still missing
Four more Australians have been confirmed safe in the Nepal-Tibet flood disaster, but 38 others remain unaccounted-for as loved ones urge authorities to do more to find those missing. Five Australian citizens have been located safe since Tuesday morning. One person was found in Nepal and another in China, while three others were found outside the disaster zone.
New testing of black-market peptides reveals dangerous dosing levels
national health equity reporters Rachel Carbonell and Caitlyn Gribbin, and Andi Yu This time last year, analytical chemist Grace Hamann had never heard of black market peptides. "Now about 50 per cent of my job is testing peptides … the growth has been exponential," Ms Hamann said.
Australia's Nepali and Tibetan communities fear for loved ones after flash flood
Xiaoning Mo, Libby Hogan, and Andi Yu Tibetan and Nepali Australians are anxious about family and friends missing after disaster struck the Nepal-Tibet border. At least 160 people were killed and hundreds more — including 34 Australians — are missing after a huge wave smashed through villages yesterday It is believed a glacier avalanche likely caused the flood.
Doctors fear possible contaminated counterfeit peptide batch after seventh case of acute liver damage
Another black market peptide user has suffered a severe liver injury, with doctors concerned a possible "contaminated batch" might be to blame. The latest case means seven Victorian patients have now been hospitalised for acute liver toxicity, after using a counterfeit of the weight loss peptide retatrutide.
Five key takeaways from Erin Patterson's appeal against conviction
Triple murderer Erin Patterson made a bid this week in the Court of Appeal to have her convictions overturned. It could take weeks or months for the judges to make a ruling. Patterson was convicted last year of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder after a deadly beef Wellington lunch laced with death cap mushrooms she served her relatives in 2023.
Regional emergency departments are overcrowded and risking patient safety, doctors say
Andi Yu, Eden Hynninen, and Jean Bell Victoria's most dysfunctional and dangerous emergency departments are in regional areas, health department data shows. The quarterly statistics on the state's public hospitals include tracking of emergency department (ED) stays 24 hours or longer, an indicator of pressure on hospital resources. There were about 3,300 patients across the state admitted to emergency from January to March this year who stayed there for at least 24 hours.
Regional emergency departments are overcrowded and risking patient safety, doctors say
Victoria's most dysfunctional and dangerous emergency departments are in regional areas, health department data shows. The quarterly statistics on the state's public hospitals include tracking of emergency department (ED) stays 24 hours or longer, an indicator of pressure on hospital resources. There were about 3,300 patients across the state admitted to emergency from January to March this year who stayed there for at least 24 hours.
Man linked to Isla Bell death fails to have case thrown out
Andi Yu A man charged in connection with the death of Melbourne woman Isla Bell has failed to get his case thrown out. Ms Bell's remains were discovered at a tip in November 2024, about six weeks after she was last seen alive at the house of St Kilda East man Marat Ganiev, 55. Shortly before going to trial earlier this year, the prosecution discontinued the manslaughter charge, and filed a new indictment of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
United Firefighters Union secretary accused of 'harassment' by FRV head
Victoria's fire rescue commissioner Gavin Freeman has accused the firefighters' union head of bullying and intimidating Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) staff and himself. In a letter to United Firefighters Union (UFU) secretary Peter Marshall, dated yesterday, the commissioner wrote to express concern about "excessively aggressive and inappropriately personal communications" disseminated on its website and social media and in media statements.
Antisemitism royal commission hears accounts from Australian National University students and staff
A university student whose relatives had been killed by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza was asked to provide their death certificates to get an exam extension, the royal commission into antisemitism has heard. During cross examination at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in Melbourne today, the Australian National University's acting provost Joan Leach said she was unaware of the case.
University of Melbourne head decries antisemitism on campus but defends management of it
University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis says the institution's management chose not to publicise the names of students it disciplined for occupying a Jewish academic's office to avoid making a "stain" on their young lives. The interim head of the prestigious institution has given evidence to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion on Wednesday, which is examining universities' handling of pro-Palestinian protests and their support for Jewish staff and students.
Royal comission hears Jewish student's mental health deteriorated while at Monash University
On Paris Enten's first day at Monash University, a student approached her to ask if she knew much about socialism. The arts/law student enthusiastically told the socialist group member she was familiar with the concept because, as a Jew, she had spent time on a Kibbutz in Israel, a type of farming commune.
Jewish Australian professor hired private investigator to identify protesters who occupied his office
A Jewish Australian academic has told a royal commission he hired a private investigator to identify protesters who entered his office, in an attempt to find out if they were enrolled students on campus. University of Melbourne professor Steven Prawer has appeared on the second day of the Melbourne sittings of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.
Jewish-Australian university staff and students say they felt unsafe on campus
Jewish Australian university students and staff have given evidence at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion on their lived experiences on campus. Students and staff described "low level" antisemitism escalating into feeling unsafe and threatened following societal reactions to the Hamas terrorist attacks in October 2023. It is the first day of the royal commission's hearings in Melbourne, which has the largest Jewish population in Australia.
Socceroos World Cup viewing parties across Australia provide great entertainment but end in deep disappointment
Football fans across the country have ridden the gamut of emotions as the Socceroos came from behind to force penalties against Egypt in the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup only to suffer heartbreaking defeat. The match kicked off at 4am AEST, but supporters turned out in large numbers at live sites in Australia's capital cities to watch the drama unfold. Big screens broadcast the Round of 32 action from Arlington, Texas.
Study results prove First Nations midwifery program leads to healthier babies
Midwifery care tailored to First Nations families produces better infant health outcomes, a Melbourne study has found. The study, published in medical journal The Lancet, tracked 669 Indigenous babies born in three Melbourne hospitals between 2017 and 2022 where their mothers received specialised care. The results have been compared to more than 1,000 First Nations babies born between 2012 to 2017, before the service was created.
Warning issued over counterfeit weight-loss drugs labelled as retatrutide
Senior doctors from a hospital in Melbourne's north are warning people against taking drugs being labelled as experimental weight loss medication retatrutide, after discovering multiple cases of liver damage and other serious illness. The injectable medication has not been approved by any worldwide drug regulator, including the US Food and Drug Administrator and the Australian Theraputic Goods Administration (TGA).
Melbourne teacher who went missing during India trip allegedly killed by his brother
Melbourne maths teacher Sunil Sharma, who went missing in India last month, was allegedly murdered by his brother and dumped in a canal. Sunil Sharma, 66, was preparing for retirement and had been in the city of Amritsar in Punjab province in the country's north-west, readying an investment property for sale when he disappeared on May 22.
Melbourne teacher who went missing during India trip allegedly killed by his brother
Three things we learned from England win as World Cup starting XI becomes clear It was never going to be a vintage performance, but England did what they needed to do as they ground out a 1-0 victory over New Zealand in Tampa, …
Australian dies in Peru after fall on Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
By Luke Cooper and Andi Yu, ABC An Australian man has died in Peru after falling from an embankment while walking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Matthew Cameron Paton was walking in a group of tourists about 2pm on Wednesday, local time, when he tripped and fell through a damaged security barrier, local police told the ABC. The 53-year-old Victorian Police officer is believed to have fallen up to 400 metres in a difficult-to-access area near the Intipunku entrance to the Inca Trail, police say.
Pride of our Footscray nightclub says it has been 'uninsurable' for two years
A nightclub in Melbourne's inner west has operated for two years without public liability insurance following four years of skyrocketing premium hikes. The Insurance Council of Australia says rising claims costs and higher legal fees are the key drivers increasing premium for venues. The federal government is running hearings for an inquiry into small business insurance which has taken submissions from insurers, businesses and other stakeholders.
Mushroom murderer's estranged husband Simon Patterson writing memoir
Simon Patterson, the estranged husband of convicted triple-murderer Erin Patterson, is working on a memoir with a publisher, his media manager says. Mr Patterson has accused his former partner of poisoning him on multiple occasions, however the allegations in relation to him were dropped by prosecutors for the court case that dealt with the deadly meal she served her in-laws in July 2023.
Dezi Freeman death brings end to mammoth seven-month police operation Original
By Danny Tran, Ashlee Aldridge, Andi Yu, Judd Boaz and Antonia O'Flaherty, ABC News The memorial, held just days ago in a white marquee on the grounds of the Victoria Police academy, was heaving with people Alain Hottart and Carolina de Waart did not know. It was for a woman they had never met.
Dezi Freeman death brings an end to mammoth seven-month police operation
The memorial, held just days ago in a white marquee on the grounds of the Victoria Police academy, was heaving with people Alain Hottart and Carolina de Waart did not know, and for a woman they had never met. Their son, Vadim, was not yet born when Angela Taylor was killed by a car packed with gelignite outside the Russell Street Police headquarters in 1984, becoming the first Australian policewoman to be killed in the line of duty.
Islamic community group Taha Humanity Association's grant cancelled amid 'social cohesion concerns'
The federal government has cancelled a grant for an Islamic community association in Melbourne citing "social cohesion concerns" after claims surfaced the group were mourning the death of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Last election, Labor Member for Bruce, Julian Hill, announced a $670,000 grant to the Taha Humanity Association to upgrade its community centre in Dandenong and support programs such as English lessons.
Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell, 13 others face court over alleged Camp Sovereignty protest camp attack
Three men involved in an alleged Neo-Nazi-led attack on an Indigenous protest camp last year have pleaded not guilty, while a court heard Neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell disputes the facts of the incident. Mr Sewell was among 14 men allegedly involved in the incident at Camp Sovereignty on August 31 last year to face the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. The 32-year-old, known as the leader of the National Socialist Network before it announced it would disband, is facing 25 charges.
Breaking: Tony Mokbel won't be retried in drug trafficking case
Victorian underworld crime figure Tony Mokbel is now a free citizen, after prosecutors abandoned a decades-old drug trafficking case against him. On Friday morning, the Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed it was discontinuing a re-trial of allegations Mokbel tried to source a commercial quantity of MDMA from overseas in June 2005, known as the Orbital case.
Roland Griffiths handed life sentence for Kylie Sheahan's murder in 2022 house fire
A Melbourne man who murdered his wife by setting her alight in their home in the presence of seven children has been sentenced to life in prison. Warning: This story contains details some readers may find distressing. Roland James Griffiths, 41, was given a non-parole period of 32 years for what the judge described as "despicable behaviour" carried out against Kylie Sheahan, 35, and her children on March 14, 2022.
EPA asks Victorians to check water quality before swimming in Port Phillip Bay
Victoria's environment regulator is urging people this summer to be aware of pollution levels before they swim in Port Phillip Bay. The EPA says pollutants can be higher after rain because of pollution that washes into the sea from stormwater drains. People with dogs are also being urged to think of their health too, and hose them down after a swim. Victoria's environment regulator is warning people this summer to keep a close eye on its weekly monitoring of water quality in Port Phillip Bay.
Harcourt residents assessing damage after more than 50 structures lost in Ravenswood fire
The Ravenswood fire ignited on Friday, and of the 10 major fires burning across Victoria, it has so far proven the most destructive. On Saturday morning, authorities said it had claimed at least 50 structures, many of them in Harcourt, north-east of Castlemaine in Victoria's Central Highlands. Australia heatwave live updates: Read our blog for the latest news as out-of-control bushfires burn and temperatures soar for a fourth day.
Australia's Venezuelan diaspora gathers after US captures president Nicolás Maduro in military strike
The unfolding situation in Venezuela carries "deep and complex emotions" for Australia's small but tight-knit Venezuelan community, who are gathering to discuss what is happening in their home country. According to the 2021 Census, 6,627 Venezuelan-born people live in Australia, including 2,183 people in NSW and 1,572 in Victoria. The United States says it will temporarily "run" Venezuela after capturing Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro during a large-scale military strike overnight.
Tom Silvagni revealed as man from high-profile Victorian family convicted of rape
Tom Silvagni can now be identified as the man from a high-profile Victorian family found guilty of raping a woman last year. Warning: This story contains content that may be distressing to some readers. The County Court of Victoria lifted a suppression order on identifying the son and brother of well known AFL identities on Thursday afternoon, allowing media to report his name.
Former specialist school worker strongly denies child sex abuse charges, court hears
A former staffer of a specialist school in Melbourne's south-east who is accused of child sexual abuse strongly denies the allegations, a court has heard. Roshelle Cerveira, 34, is facing a dozen charges, most related to child sex abuse, which include two counts of sexually touching a child, and one of involving a child in the production of child abuse material. The charges relate to alleged offending between May and August of this year.
Community housing provider HousingFirst defends dual rent rises on newly acquired properties
A group of elderly community housing residents in Melbourne's south-east say they are in financial distress after their housing provider handed them two rent rises in less than a year. The first increase came less than two years after the provider, HousingFirst, took carriage of the properties, which were formerly run by a private trust.
Famous Melbourne detective Ron Iddles' chance encounter with Easey Street murder accused
Ron Iddles could never have anticipated that a random vehicle check in January 1977 would lead to him to giving evidence in a double murder case nearly 50 years later. The now-decorated retired Melbourne detective, known for his high conviction rate, was just a constable back then, assigned to Collingwood Police Station. Mr Iddles flagged down a 1968 Holden sedan about four or five days after the brutal murders of two women in that suburb — Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett.
Perry Kouroumblis's lawyer questions handling of DNA evidence in Easey Street murder
The defence for a man accused of Melbourne's Easey Street murders has sought to undermine a DNA-reliant prosecution case by highlighting police work that may have led to tarnished evidence. Prosecutors have alleged DNA samples from Perry Kouroumblis, now aged 66, strongly link him to the 1977 stabbing deaths of Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett in their Collingwood share house. Ms Armstrong was also allegedly raped.
Isla Bell's alleged murderer Marat Ganiev and co-accused Eyal Yaffe ordered to stand trial
A man who allegedly murdered Melbourne woman Isla Bell, and another man accused of covering up her death, have been ordered to stand trial. Warning: this story contains details that may distress some readers. The 19-year-old's remains were found at a rubbish tip last November after her body had been placed in a fridge and transported around Melbourne over several weeks.
Victoria's opposition leader launches fresh shadow cabinet ahead of state election next year
Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin has announced a fresh shadow ministry, replacing his shadow treasurer and bringing in three first-term MPs. Mr Battin says his goal is to bring in the skills he needs to challenge Premier Jacinta Allan and her government at the next state election in November 2026. The reshuffle of Mr Battin's team follows the resignation announcements of two senior Liberal MPs, Michael O'Brien and David Hodgett.
Truck driver pleads guilty over Bacchus Marsh school bus crash that left students with lifelong injuries
A mother of a student injured in a bus crash north-west of Melbourne three years ago has described the chaos that unfolded after the incident as a "horror movie". The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, cried throughout her victim impact statement to the Victorian County Court on Wednesday as she described her daughter's life-altering injuries after being flung from her bus seat in September 2022.
Staffer resigns from Melbourne school over inappropriate descriptions of students
An educator at an elite Melbourne private school who gave students inappropriate descriptions in a document uploaded to the school's intranet has resigned over the saga. In a letter to families on Thursday, St Michael's Grammar School principal Gerard Houlihan said the school had concluded its investigation into the infamous list and the educator concerned would not be returning.
Victorian opposition leader Brad Battin to pledge action on knife crime by legislating 'Jack's Law'
Opposition Leader Brad Battin will announce his policy agenda at the Victorian Liberal state conference today aimed at reducing crime. At the top of his legislative agenda if elected as the next premier is 'Jack's Law' — increased powers enabling police to scan people for weapons without a warrant. Mr Battin will pledge that if elected premier in November 2026, he'll legislate Jack's Law by Christmas, which a criminologist has called a "band-aid solution".
St Michael's Grammar School apologises for 'unacceptable' physical descriptions in musical cast list
A top Melbourne private school says it's "urgently investigating" the internal publication of a cast list for an upcoming musical featuring physical descriptions of students such as "bogan", "ratty" and "anime eyes". St Michael's Grammar School in St Kilda has apologised to parents of Year 6 students after the document was uploaded to its online learning platform before being removed. The ABC has seen both the apology letter and cast list.
Victorian Liberal Party state secretary Stuart Smith resigns after text messages mocking the party's women's council
Victorian Liberal state secretary Stuart Smith has resigned over text messages he sent to a staff group chat making fun of the party's women's council and mocking a female MP. "In the best interests of the party, I have tendered my resignation to minimise distractions from the important task of winning the next election," Mr Smith said. "I regret the comments and have apologised for them.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, killed in Porepunkah shooting, honoured in Melbourne funeral
Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson is being farewelled at a memorial service in Melbourne's east. As with his fallen colleague Vadim de Waart-Hottart's funeral last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier Jacinta Allan and Victorian Commissioner of Police Mike Bush are in attendance. A manhunt for alleged gunman Dezi Freeman remains underway in Victoria's alpine region.
Trees down and building damage as Victoria lashed by strong winds and showers overnight
The Victorian State Emergency Service (SES) has responded to more than 1,000 requests for assistance overnight as much of the state was lashed with high winds and rain. Wind gusts in the alpine region reached well over 100 kilometres per hour, and thick snow has been falling across the highest areas. ABC Goulburn Murray's Sarah Krieg in Dinner Plain in the Alpine National Park said, "we've had 40cm of snow and counting".
Australian police shooting: Alleged gunman in possession of 'powerful firearms', police say
By Maddy Morwood and Andi Yu, ABC Australian police say alleged gunman Dezi Freeman is still in possession of "multiple, powerful firearms" from the scene of a fatal police shooting. Freeman allegedly shot and killed two police officers and injured a third, at his property in rural Victoria's Porepunkah on Tuesday. The two killed officers were a 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old Senior Constable, and they both died at the scene. A manhunt has been underway since.
City of Melbourne councillors vote for review of protest disruption
The City of Melbourne has voted in favour of consulting on a plan that would urge the Victorian and federal governments to review disruption from protests in Melbourne's CBD. The vote on the proposal to update an existing council plan passed with nine votes in favour and two against at a meeting on Tuesday night. The amendment will now be open for community feedback, will be adopted into the council's plan if voted for later this year.
Victoria's Suburban Rail Loop Minister digs in on state's $34 billion funding plan for six new train stations
Victorian Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Harriet Shing, has refused to be drawn on a back-up funding plan, or exit strategy for the $34 billion project. With the first stage of the project already underway, the state government says it is confident it can get an additional $9 billion from the Commonwealth and make $11.8 billion through value capture on new housing developments.
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